As part of our continuing series of compilations featuring local music curated by local bloggers, today RVA Magazine presents The Commonwealth Of Notions Compilation (Volume One), compiled by Shannon Cleary, host of the Commonwealth Of Notions radio show on WRIR and frequent RVA Magazine contributor. This mixtape features tracks by nine of the hottest underground rock bands currently operating in Richmond. It's available as a free download from our bandcamp page, or you can stream it below:
Below are Shannon Cleary's liner notes for this mixtape. Read along and enjoy!
When I was asked to compile a mix tape for RVA, I was immediately on board. I remember grabbing compilations from multiple record labels in my youth and digging the idea of the inclusion of B-sides and deep cuts. This is what I set out to offer with my first outing. I reached out to a lot of my friends for exclusive cuts and remixes of songs to see what they could come up with. This compilation is the result.
Photo by PJ Sykes
I wanted to kick things off with a premiere track by one of my favorite groups in Richmond. The Low Branches have been promising a proper full-length for quite a while. It is finally upon us, and here is the title track. Christina Gleixner’s voice has always sounded haunting and enchanting, but not quite like this. Its realized presence on record leaves me really excited to hear the rest of the release.
Photo by PJ Sykes
It would only make sense to follow it up with a cut from the recent Snowy Owls EP. “So Near” is a great example when explaining how 2012 was such a formative year for the group. There are trends flowing through every moment that show how the scene helped to influence and shape The Snowy Owls sound. There is a drum presence that doesn’t feel so far removed from a White Laces drum pattern. The song's steady buildup feels right at home with other local bands like Canary Oh Canary or Heavy Midgets. It all points to the wonderful exuberance of The Snowy Owls, who take these ideas and exchange them for their own unique take on the genre.
After the buildup of the Snowy Owls track, the buzzing of “710” by Sundials should provide a quick relief. This tale of memories literally burning to the ground has never sounded so anthem-like and optimistic. The group made quite the splash with last year’s When I Couldn’t Breathe, and it felt appropriate to include them on this tape.
Another punk outfit that had quite the year was Pedals on our Pirate Ships. Their new release, A Place to Stay, made clear that they had reached a point where their sound could be best articulated. “Knives” is a tune that not only clearly enunciates a mission statement for the band, but also acts as an ode to the sacrifices we make in order to achieve the hard-won victories of our lives.
As I mentioned in one of my year-end lists, Bermuda Triangles are easily at their best when captured live. So it only made sense for me to include a live track of a new song of theirs as captured by the always-illustrious Silver Persinger.
Warren Hixson has had quite the year and 2013 could be the game-changer for them. I was hoping to include something by them that hadn’t been heard before. I was able to conjure up a remix of “Dress Like A Policeman,” as done by Patrick Patch. As a friend of the band, he was able to create a nice reinterpretation of one of the standouts from their 2012 LP, Cruel Whims.
Photo by Jake Cunningham
“Moving Day” is a killer track from Hold Tight’s phenomenal Blizzard of ’96. This song just sounds momentous. It builds and builds, ending with a successful blast. The trajectory of this song represents how awesome this band is at conceiving moments of pop-punk bliss.
If I were to pick a favorite out of this bunch--and it’s a difficult task--this would be a solid contender. This collaboration between Climbers and Nelly Kate is a hidden pop gem that I am excited to unveil to the world. “Elude Yourself” is a sweet creative passage into the minds of two of Richmond’s best treasures.
Photo by Becca Weil
Having Wolf//Goat close out this tape only seemed fitting, and what a song to end things on. "Lobocabra" is full of fury and only grows in its intensity as it goes on. As the final song from their first full-length, In Watermelon Sugar, "Lobocabra" is a testament to the band’s impressive prowess this early in the game. Going forward, Wolf//Goat seems to display a plethora of promise.
I hope you enjoy listening to this and hopefully this will be the first of many mixes to come.
Take Care,
Shannon Cleary
WRIR’s The Commonwealth of Notions/RVA Magazine